Lawyers vs Nurse Practitioners: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $21,950 more per year than Nurse Practitioners professionals — that's 17.0% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
$72,780$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Lawyers | Nurse Practitioners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,780 | $97,960 | $-25,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,760 | $109,940 | $-10,180 |
| Median (50th) | $151,160 | $129,210 | +$21,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,420 | $149,570 | +$65,850 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $169,950 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $182,760 | $132,000 | +$50,760 |
Employment Numbers
Lawyers
747,750
employed nationwide
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Lawyers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $215,090 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $205,900 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $203,450 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $194,740 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $191,880 |
Best Cities for Nurse Practitioners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $225,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $220,330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $164,520 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $164,510 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $162,470 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Lawyers or Nurse Practitioners?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $21,950 (17.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Lawyers?
Lawyers salaries range from $72,780 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $151,160.
What is the salary range for Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners salaries range from $97,960 (10th percentile) to $169,950 (90th percentile), with a median of $129,210.
How many Lawyers and Nurse Practitioners jobs are there?
There are approximately 747,750 Lawyers positions and 307,390 Nurse Practitioners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Nurse Practitioners to Lawyers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Lawyers has a median salary of $151,160 while Nurse Practitioners earns $129,210. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS